Preparing students for university fairs

University fairs and exhibitions can be intimidating. A hall or convention centre full of teenagers, teachers, and unfamiliar faces... Your students will feel unsettled if they don't know what to expect.

Talking to students in advance about their upcoming university fair is vital. It will give them the confidence to approach university stands with intent, rather than simply grabbing a prospectus and running, or not knowing what to say.

This article offers advice to help you prepare your students for the university fairs and exhibitions ahead.

Firstly, encourage your students to think about their next steps before attending a university fair. They don't need to have an exact picture of what or where they want to study, but a general idea will give them a starting point.

Advise your students to produce a shortlist of universities based on some online research. This will help them prioritise their time at the fair. They could even mark the universities on their shortlist that are a must to speak to on the day.

Suggest that your students prepare questions in advance of the fair. All questions are welcome. It's likely that we have been asked the same questions hundreds of times before, so we'll be in a good place to answer them.

Equally, remind your students to ask questions themselves, and not just rely on a friend to be the designated university questioner. The fair is a fantastic way to build independence and ask questions that are important to them, so they should lead the conversation themselves.

Also, feel free to provide your students with a few conversation starters to offer their inspiration. These could be topics such as courses, entry requirements, accommodation, facilities, location, extra opportunities, open days, and whatever else that might interest them!

Share a map of the fair with your students in advance, along with some images of previous events. This will help them gain familiarity with the venue. It will allow them to prepare their route throughout the fair, and find the location for any scheduled talks. Universities are labelled alphabetically, which makes planning a whole lot easier!

Most universities provide a physical prospectus, whilst a few offer a digital prospectus. Either way, it is best to be prepared with a strong bag and wear comfortable shoes. Teachers, wear your Fitbits!

University staff will ask your students if they would like to have their individual QR code scanned. This will allow them to receive communications from the university. Some students find it beneficial to temporarily set their QR code as their phone ‘lock screen’ or have it easily accessible.

Reassure your students: providing their QR code doesn't commit them to studying at that university, nor will they be bombarded with emails. Also, they can unsubscribe if they choose.

Most importantly, remind your students to enjoy every minute. The fair will help them take one step closer to their future. And remember, universities want to hear from yourselves as teachers and advisors, so don't forget to come and introduce yourself!

After you step back on the coach, there will be lots of worn-out students (and teachers). Even so, this is a good time to ask your students to make notes about the fair, and write down the universities that stood out. Encourage your students to continue the conversation with yourself, their friends, and their preferred universities.

Revisit the topic of the fair at your next available opportunity. This might be a chance to explore what action they have taken since the event. You might even notice a few of your students are inspired to start their personal statements early!

Finally, you might wish to direct your students to episode 12 of The Uni Guide Podcast. This is an entire episode about attending university fairs, packed with advice to help your students make the most of these events.